When life reaches out and takes you
On an unpleasant ride
And your bridge of dreams comes tumblin' down, mmm-hmm
Don't let your bed of sorrow
Ever conquer your pride
Remember there's always a way out, mmm-hmm, mmm

Take up a course in happiness
Take up a course to clear out your mind
You will show yourself how to smile, yeah
Take up a course in happiness
Take up a free instruction in life
You will learn how to smile

And when your optimism
Has a set back or two (yeah, yeah, yeah, yea, yeah, yeah)
And you feel all your trying's in vain
Your heart's in the rain

Don't give up the hope that's due you
Just to study your doubt, yeah
Remember there's always a way out, hey, hey

Take up a course in happiness
Take up a course to clear out your mind
You will show yourself how to smile
Take up a course in happiness, yeah, yeah
Take up a free instruction in life
You will learn how to smile

Take up a course in happiness
Take up a course to clear out your mind
Show yourself how to smile
Take up a course in happiness
Take up a free instruction in life
You will learn how to smile